U.S. patent number 5,657,493 [Application Number 08/589,445] was granted by the patent office on 1997-08-19 for diving mask with quick-release strap attachment.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Dacor Corporation. Invention is credited to James Ferrero, James R. Lutz.
United States Patent |
5,657,493 |
Ferrero , et al. |
August 19, 1997 |
Diving mask with quick-release strap attachment
Abstract
A diving mask includes a frame with a front portion and first
and second side portions and enclosing at least one lens, a
flexible skirt secured to the frame and constructed and arranged to
provide a water-tight seal between the frame and the user's face,
at least one of the side portions having one of a first and second
coupling portions of a quick-release buckle assembly, and a mask
strap having first and second ends, at least one of which being
engaged with the other of the first and second coupling portions
for effecting a releasably lockable coupling of the strap to the
frame. A major feature of the present invention is that the mask
strap is adjustable in length independently of its attachment to
the mask frame, while being readily detachable from the mask
frame.
Inventors: |
Ferrero; James (Chicago,
IL), Lutz; James R. (Elk Grove, IL) |
Assignee: |
Dacor Corporation (Northfield,
IL)
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Family
ID: |
26693419 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/589,445 |
Filed: |
January 22, 1996 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
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255658 |
Jun 8, 1994 |
|
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|
20424 |
Mar 25, 1994 |
Des. 371566 |
Jul 9, 1996 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/428; 2/452;
24/625 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A44B
11/266 (20130101); B63C 11/12 (20130101); B63C
2011/128 (20130101); Y10T 24/45581 (20150115) |
Current International
Class: |
A44B
11/25 (20060101); A44B 11/26 (20060101); B63C
11/02 (20060101); B63C 11/12 (20060101); B63C
011/12 () |
Field of
Search: |
;2/428,430,452,426
;24/625,323,324,265BC,615,616 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Nerbun; Peter
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greer, Burns & Crain, Ltd.
Parent Case Text
RELATED APPLICATION
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/255,658, filed on
Jun. 8, 1994, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/020,424, filed Mar. 25, 1994,
now U.S. Patent No. Des. 371,566, issued Jul. 9, 1996, and
entitled, "DIVING MASK".
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A diving mask, comprising:
a frame including a front portion, rearwardly extending first and
second side portions and enclosing at least one lens;
a flexible skirt secured to said frame and constructed and arranged
to provide a water-tight seal between said frame and the user's
face;
at least one of said side portions having one of a first and second
coupling portions of a corresponding quick-release buckle affixed
thereto, said coupling portions of each said buckle configured for
mating engagement with each other so that the other one of said
coupling portions matingly engages said corresponding affixed
portion through an axially forward direction of insertion towards
said front portion of said frame, said coupling portions being
configured to disengage from each other in an axially rearward
direction away from said front portion; and
a mask strap having first and second ends, at least one of said
ends being engaged with the other of said first and second coupling
portions so as to extend coaxially from a rear end of said other
portion for effecting a releasably lockable coupling of said strap
to said frame.
2. The mask as defined in claim 1 wherein the other of said first
and second coupling portions which is engaged with said end of said
mask strap is provided with a strap length adjustment latch.
3. The mask as defined in claim 2 wherein said adjustment latch is
unitary with the other of said first and second coupling portions
and includes a biased latch member which is normally biased against
said strap, and a grasping portion for exerting a release force to
overcome said biasing force to release said strap.
4. The mask as defined in claim 3 wherein said strap is provided
with a plurality of spaced locking formations configured for
engaging said latch member.
5. The mask as defined in claim 1 wherein said first coupling
portion of each said buckle includes a prong portion for engaging
said second coupling portion, and a strap retaining portion for
retaining said mask strap.
6. The mask as defined in claim 5 wherein said prong portion
includes a pair of spaced resilient latch arms disposed on either
side of an axially extending guide arm.
7. The mask as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said latch arms
includes a locking lobe disposed on a corresponding end of said
latch arm.
8. The mask as defined in claim 6 wherein said second coupling
portion includes a housing defining at least one receptacle
dimensioned to accommodate said latch arms and said guide arm.
9. The mask as defined in claim 8 wherein said receptacle housing
further includes at least one release opening for providing access
to a corresponding one of said latch arms for overcoming said
biasing force and releasing said first coupling portion from said
second coupling portion.
10. The mask as defined in claim 1 wherein said one of said first
and second coupling portions is integrally formed with said
corresponding one of said side portions of said frame.
11. A diving mask, comprising:
a frame including a front portion and rearwardly extending first
and second side portions and enclosing at least one lens;
a flexible skirt secured to said frame and constructed and arranged
to provide a water-tight seal between said frame and the user's
face;
a mask strap having first and second ends, at least one of said
ends being engaged with a first coupling portion of a quick-release
buckle so as to extend coaxially from a rear end of said first
coupling portion for effecting a releasably lockable coupling of
said strap to said frame, said first coupling portion having a pair
of resilient, biased latch arms disposed on either side of an
axially extending guide arm;
at least one of said first and second side portions of said frame
having a second coupling portion of said buckle attached thereto,
said second coupling portion including a housing defining at least
one receptacle configured for accommodating said latch arms and
said guide arm, said first coupling portion constructed to engage
said second coupling portion through an axially forward direction
of insertion towards said front portion of said frame, and also
having at least one release opening for permitting access to said
latch arms for disengaging said first coupling portion from said
second coupling portion in an axially rearward direction away from
said front portion;
wherein said mask strap may be adjusted in length independently of
the attachment of said strap to said mask frame.
12. The mask as defined in claim 11 wherein said first coupling
portion is provided with a strap length adjustment latch.
13. The mask as defined in claim 12 wherein said adjustment latch
includes a biased latch tooth which is normally biased against said
strap and a grasping portion for exerting a release force to
overcome said biasing force to release said strap.
14. The mask as defined in claim 13 wherein said strap is provided
with a plurality of spaced locking formations configured for
engaging said latch tooth.
15. The mask as defined in claim 11 wherein said second coupling
portion is integrally formed with said frame.
16. A diving mask, comprising:
a frame including a front portion, rearwardly extending first and
second side portions and enclosing at least one lens;
a flexible skirt secured to said frame and constructed and arranged
to provide a water-tight seal between said frame and the user's
face;
each of said side portions having an end to which is mounted one of
a first and second coupling portions of a corresponding
quick-release buckle, said coupling portions of each said buckle
configured for mating engagement with each other so that the other
one of said coupling portions matingly engages said corresponding
affixed portion through an axially forward direction of insertion
towards said front portion of said frame, said coupling portions
being configured to disengage from each other in an axially
rearward direction away from said front portion; and
a mask strap having first and second ends, each of said ends being
engaged with the other of said first and second coupling portions
of said quick-release buckle so as to extend coaxially from a rear
end of said other portion for effecting a releasably lockable
coupling of said strap to said frame, said coupling portion engaged
on said mask strap ends also being provided with a mask strap
length adjustment mechanism;
wherein said mask strap may be adjusted in length independently of
the attachment of said strap to said mask frame.
17. The mask as defined in claim 16 wherein said mask strap length
adjustment mechanism is integral with one of said first and second
coupling portions.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to diving masks used for snorkeling,
skin diving and scuba diving, and specifically to a diving mask
wherein the mask strap is quickly releasable from the mask
frame.
Conventional diving masks are attached to the diver's head with an
elastic mask strap. Each end of the mask strap is threaded into a
latch located on a corresponding side of the mask frame. Various
mechanical latch devices are employed to retain the strap in place,
while providing for manual adjustment of the strap length.
One conventional mask strap latch system includes a mask strap
having a series of spaced, generally vertical ribs on one face. The
strap is fed around at least one generally vertical post in a latch
frame in a serpentine manner. A biased keeper member engages one of
the ribs on the strap to prevent the strap from loosening. A tab
member integral with the keeper allows the diver or user to
overcome with one hand the biasing force or pressure exerted by the
keeper, while the strap is pulled with the other hand to loosen the
strap adjustment. The same procedure is used to entirely remove the
strap from a selected side of the mask frame to install the mask
strap retainer of a conventional snorkel.
A major disadvantage of such mask strap attachment arrangements is
that the required two-handed procedure for making adjustments to
the strap length is often difficult to perform under wet
conditions.
Another disadvantage of conventional mask strap attachments is that
the diver's hair often becomes caught or tangled in the mask strap,
and becomes difficult to untangle without unlatching at least one
end of the mask strap from the corresponding side of the mask
frame.
Still another disadvantage of conventional mask strap attachments
is that when used with a breathing snorkel having a loop-like mask
strap retainer, the mask strap must be detached from the latch to
thread through the snorkel mask strap retainer. This is a tedious
and often frustrating operation, especially when attempted with wet
hands.
A related disadvantage is that when the dive is completed, and the
diver stores his equipment, the mask must again be disconnected
from the snorkel where the loop-type of mask trap retainer is
employed, requiring another unthreading of the mask strap from the
snorkel attachment, as well as from the mask frame latch. This
repeated unthreading and rethreading of the mask strap into and out
of the mask frame also makes mask adjustment more difficult, in
that the mask strap must be readjusted for each use, and the strap
adjustment must be fine tuned while in the water. A strap which is
too loose may allow the leakage of water into the mask, impairing
vision and diver comfort. On the other hand, a mask strap which is
too tight may be uncomfortable, and may also interfere with the
diver's clearing of his ears to equalize the pressure on either
side of the ear drums, and gradually adjust them to greater
depths.
Thus, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide
a diving mask with a mask strap which is detachable from the mask
frame independently from the mask strap length adjustment.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a diving
mask with a mask strap which is easy to adjust under wet
conditions.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a
diving mask with a mask strap coupling mechanism which permits
rapid decoupling of the mask strap from the mask frame.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the
present diving mask, in which at least one end of the strap is
secured to one end of a quick-release buckle. In the preferred
embodiment, one portion of the buckle is provided with a strap
length adjustment latch device, so that adjustment of the length of
the mask strap may be accomplished independently from the
decoupling of the strap from the mask frame. Thus, mask strap
length may be easily changed under wet conditions through the use
of a large, grooved tab which easily pulls away from the divers
head to release the strap for adjustment. Another advantage of the
present mask strap attachment is that snorkels having loop-type
mask strap attachments may be quickly installed and detached from
the mask strap without interfering with the often carefully
adjusted length of the mask strap.
More specifically, the present diving mask includes a frame with a
front portion, first and second side portions and encloses at least
one lens. A flexible skirt is secured to the frame and is
constructed and arranged to provide a water-tight seal between the
frame and the user's face. At least one of the side portions has
one of a first and second coupling portions of a quick-release
buckle. Also included is a mask strap having first and second ends,
at least one of which being engaged with the other of the first and
second coupling portions for effecting a releasably lockable
coupling of the strap to the frame. A major feature of the present
invention is that the mask strap is adjustable in length
independently of its attachment to the mask frame. Another feature
of the present invention is that the mask strap adjustment portion,
the prong or male portion of the quick-release buckle, and the
tab-type strap release device are provided as a unitary piece which
may be molded of suitable plastic material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective elevational view of the present
mask;
FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the mask of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the present mask;
FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the mask of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a bottom plan elevational view of a first coupling
portion of a quick-release buckle of the type suitable for use with
the present diving mask;
FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the coupling portion of FIG.
5;
FIG. 7 is a top plan elevational view of the first coupling portion
shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 8--8 of FIG. 7 and
in the direction indicated generally; and
FIG. 9 is a rear elevational view of the mask of FIG. 1, with
portions shown eliminated for purposes of clarity.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, the present diving mask is generally
designated 10, and includes a frame 12 including a front portion 14
and first and second side portions 16, 18, respectively. At least
the front portion 14 encloses a lens 20, and it is contemplated
that at least one of the first and second side portions 16, 18 may
also each enclose a relatively smaller lens 22 to enhance the
peripheral underwater vision of the diver. In the preferred
embodiment, the side portions 16, 18 of the frame 12 sweep rearward
at an approximate right angle to the longitudinal axis of the frame
to form a general U-shape when viewed from above or below (best
seen in FIGS. 3 and 4).
The mask 10 also includes a flexible skirt 24 secured to the frame
and constructed and arranged to provide a water-tight seal between
the frame and the diver or user's face. The skirt 24 is preferably
made of a transparent, flexible material which is resistant to
chemical degradation of the type experienced in salt water. A
particularly preferred skirt material is silicone. The skirt 24 has
a peripheral edge 26 dimensioned to define a line extending around
the user's forehead, temples, upper cheeks and under the nose so
that once in position, the area of the face located within the line
is sealed from the ingress of ambient water.
Each of the first and second side portions 16, 18 will now be
described in greater detail. To simplify the following discussion,
the two side portions will be considered to be identical unless
otherwise specified. In the preferred embodiment, each side portion
is provided with one half of a quick-release buckle generally
designated 28, the buckle being made up of first and second
coupling portions 30, 32, respectively, which may also be
characterized as being male and female buckle portions,
respectively.
Referring now to FIGS. 1-8, the first coupling portion 30 includes
at a first end a prong portion 34 for engaging the second coupling
portion 32, and a strap retaining portion 36 opposite the prong
portion for retaining an end 38 of a mask strap 40. Included on the
prong portion 34 are a pair of resilient latch arms 42 disposed in
generally equidistantly spaced relationship on either side of an
axially extending guide arm 44. The latch arms 42 have an inherent
biasing force such that when squeezed together in the direction of
the guide arm 44, and then released, the arms will return toward
their original or at rest position depicted in FIGS. 5 and 7. This
biasing force facilitates the releasability as well as the locking
engagement of the first coupling portion 30 and the second coupling
portion 32.
Each latch arm has an end formed into a locking lobe 46 with an
inclined tip 48. Opposite the inclined tip, the locking lobe 46
defines a retaining shoulder 49. The tip 48 of each latch arm and
an end of the guide arm 44 terminate generally along a common
transverse axis.
At the opposite ends, the latch arms 42 and the guide arm 44 are
secured to a generally concave edge 50 of the first coupling
portion 30. Behind the concave edge 50 and opposite the latch arms
42 and the guide arm 44 is located the strap retaining latch
portion 36. A generally transverse pivot post 52 is rotatably
supported at each end by a bore 53 in a pivot post support 54. The
pair of pivot post supports extend in generally offset parallel
relation to the latch arms 42 and the guide arm 44 (best seen in
FIG. 5). The pivot post supports 54 are preferably integrally
molded to the coupling portion 30.
Also located on the first coupling portion 30 is a grasping handle
or tab 56 which is integral with a latch member or keeper tooth 58
(best seen in FIG. 8). The tab 56 has a relatively large surface,
is curved for easy grasping, and is joined to the coupling portion
along a baseline designated 60 which is generally adjacent the
concave edge 50. In addition, the tab 56 may be provided with a
plurality of grooves or checking 66 (best seen in FIG. 3) to
facilitate a positive grip by the diver even under wet
conditions.
The tooth 58 is integral with the coupling portion, is disposed
between the pivot post supports 54 and is also in generally
parallel relationship to the pivot post 52. A sharp leading edge 62
of the tooth 58 points toward the post 52. Also, the tooth 58 is
placed in spaced, parallel relation to the axially rotatable pivot
post 52 to permit sliding action of one of the ends 38 of the mask
strap 40 therethrough.
Thus, the prong portion, 34, the pivot post supports 54, the
grasping tab 56 and the keeper tooth 58 are all preferably
unitarily formed, as by injection molding of suitable plastic
materials. Due to the inherent "memory" of the plastic material
used to mold the first coupling portion 30, and the baseline
attachment of the tab 56, the tooth 58 has an inherent biasing
force which urges the tooth to the rest position depicted in FIG.
8. The biasing force exerted by the tooth 58 is enhanced by a
laterally thinned hinge area 63 (best seen in FIG. 8) on the first
coupling portion 30 which defines a pivot axis for the tooth 58 as
well as the tab 56. A pulling action of the tab 56 in the direction
of the arrow 64 will temporarily draw the tooth 58 away from the
pivot post 52, and a release of the tab will cause the tooth to
resume its "rest" position.
Turning now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 9, the quick-release buckle 28 also
includes the second coupling portion 32, which is configured to
lockingly and releasably accommodate the first coupling portion 30
described above. Accordingly, the second coupling portion includes
a housing 68 which defines a pair of latch arm receptacles 70 (best
seen in FIG. 9) located in laterally spaced relationship to each
other, and being separated by a guide arm receptacle 72. The guide
arm receptacle is defined by a pair of generally parallel,
substantially vertically projecting divider walls 74 which are
preferably integrally formed with the housing 68.
An important feature of the second coupling portion 32 is the
provision of at least one and preferably two release openings 76
(best seen in FIG. 2) for providing access to a corresponding one
of the locking lobes 46, each of which is attached to a
corresponding latch arm 42. Each release opening 76 is dimensioned
to be accessible by a diver's finger for depressing the locking
lobe 46 toward the guide arm 44 and thus, by overcoming the biasing
force of the latch arms, releasing the first coupling portion 30
from the second coupling portion 32.
It should be noted that while in the preferred embodiment, the
second coupling portion 32 is fixed and integrally formed into the
first and second side portions 16, 18 of the mask frame 12, the
coupling portion 32, and specifically the housing 68 may be
pivotally attached to the corresponding mask frame side portions.
It is also contemplated that the relative orientation of the prong
portion 34 of the first coupling portion 30, and the second
coupling portion 32 may be reversed, with the second coupling
portion affixed to the strap retaining portion 36, and the prong
portion 34 affixed to the first and second side portions 16, 18 of
the frame 12.
Referring now to FIG. 8, the mask strap 40 is provided with a
plurality of locking formations 78 for engaging the tooth 58 and
securing the length adjustment of the strap to suit the diver. In
the preferred embodiment, the locking formations 78 take the form
of spaced, generally parallel, elongate projections or ribs. The
spacing of the ribs along the strap 40 may vary to suit the
application and size of the mask. In addition, the specific shape
of the ribs may also vary, as long as the ribs are sufficiently
large to engage the tooth 58. Further, it is preferred that both
ends 38 of the mask strap 40 are provided with a plurality of the
rib-type locking formations 78.
In operation, at least one side portion 16, 18 of the mask frame
12, and preferably both such side portions, are provided with a
quick-release buckle 28 including first and second coupling
portions 30, 32 engaged to each other. Each end 38 of the mask
strap 40 is threaded through a corresponding one of the strap
retaining portions 36. Specifically, the strap end 38 is passed
between the pivot post 52 and the keeper tooth 58. During the
threading operation, the diver must pull the tab 56 in the
direction of the arrow 64, which is away from the diver's head, so
that the tooth will not engage one of the locking formations 78 on
the strap 40. The strap end 38 is then pulled through the strap
retaining portion so that the strap end is located on the same side
of the pivot post 52 as is the tab 56.
Once a proper length adjustment for each strap end 38 is obtained,
and it should be understood that this strap adjustment process may
be performed while the mask is worn by the diver, the tab 56 is
released, and the tooth 58 engages the next adjacent locking
formation 78 on the mask strap 40. The biasing force exerted by the
tooth prevents any movement of the strap relative to the buckle 28
other than the distance between the adjacent formations 78 on
either side of the tooth 58. Also, the size, shape and checkered
surface of the tab 56 facilitate manipulation under wet
conditions.
When the diver desires to connect a mask strap retainer of a
snorkel, he merely accesses the release openings 76 and squeezes
the two locking lobes 46 together until the lobes may be axially
withdrawn from the corresponding latch arm receptacles 70. The mask
strap 40 may thus be disengaged from the mask frame 12 without
affecting the mask strap adjustment. Another instance when the mask
strap may need to be rapidly disengaged from the mask frame is when
the diver's hair becomes tangled in the strap.
To reattach the mask strap 40 to the mask frame 12, the diver
merely inserts the prong portion 34 into the second coupling
portion 32 so that the latch arms 42 and the guide arm 44 are
aligned with the corresponding receptacles, 70, 72. The first
coupling portion is then axially urged toward the second coupling
portion housing 68 until the locking lobes snap into the release
openings 76. The snapping action of the lobes is due to their
inherent biasing force and also to the configuration of the housing
68 which is narrowed somewhat to put an inwardly directed pressure
on the locking lobes prior to their reaching the release openings.
The retaining shoulders 49 then become engaged in the release
openings to prevent unwanted axial decoupling of the first and
second coupling portions.
Thus, a major advantage of the present invention is the provision
of a diving mask with a quick-release mask strap attachment for
permitting rapid disengagement of the mask strap from the frame
without changing the length adjustment of the strap. Mother
advantage of the present invention is that the first coupling
portion may be integrally molded as a unitary piece including the
mask strap attachment, the prong portion, and the tab 56 and keeper
tooth 58, without requiring detailed assembly or complicated
manufacturing tooling. The only additional component is the pivot
post 52.
While a particular embodiment of the diving mask with quick-release
strap attachment of the invention has been shown and described, it
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the
invention in its broader aspects and as set forth in the following
claims.
* * * * *